When interviewing what should I look for?

Does the person have examples of their work? Every programmer should keep a back up of their work. If a person shows up without examples of their work. Be careful of hiring them. Even if they have never worked with the tool, they should have something to show that they should be seriously considered. (When I got my first job in multimedia, I didn't have a data copy of my work, but I did have a video of what I was capable of.) Unless you plan to train your new employee from scratch, you must have some idea that they can do what you want them to do.

Do you have a programmer available to ask technical questions? Being interviewed by a small group is not uncommon. Ask the person about the examples that he or she brought. Do they sound knowledgeable about the programming. Is there a better way to do it?

Always follow your instinct about a person. Do they seem trustworthy? Do they seem to know what they are doing? Do you think this person will fit it with the rest of the company?

Being interviewed?

After getting turned down for many jobs, some people will tend to get desparate to get the job they want. Its one thing to exaggerate your skills on a resume, but its wrong to lie about your skills. If you lie about your skills you will be found out and probably fired. It is perfectly acceptable to inflate your importance at your last job or say you have some experience with a tool that you are learning. After all you are trying to get a better job. However, it is quite another thing to claim that you can do anything with a tool that you just know the name of. There is a fine line between these two situations. It is important not to cross that line. If you do your just wasting your potential employer's time and your time.

People just coming out of college and people new to the field, often have many factors against them, such as lack of experience. Remember there are always places willing to train you in subject areas that you don't know. You just have to look for them. Smaller companies are often good places to start looking. Larger companies are harder to get into (not impossible) but they usually require a reference and some experience.

Proof of knowledge is vital if an employer is going to take you seriously. Make sure you have some work to show potential employers. If you don't have a CD of your multimedia work, consider a web page devoted to your professional career. (An on line resume, that you can update quickly) Going into an interview with anything is better than going in with nothing, so even if you aren't very proud of your work, bring it with you. If you are new to the profession and don't have anything to show, all is not lost before its even started. Remember this is "Multi" media so if you don't have a packaged piece, bring video work, scripts or even storyboards. This will at least show that you are serious about your work even if you haven't been given the chance to show what you can do.

Here are some tips to remember.

1. Bring examples of your work to the interview and be prepared to leave them there.
2. Dress nicely, even if you know the place is a dump.
3. Get a reference from someone who is creditable. (An old boss, an employee who works there, a college professor, ..not a relative) Make copies you will need them later.
4. Bring at least two extra copies of your resume.
5. Be confident, if you don't believe in yourself, why should they.
6. Relax, if you screw up there will be another interview somewhere else.
7. Practice what you are going to say, this will make you sound more confident.
8. Don't bash old jobs, it does not make you sound creditable.
9. Make eye contact, unless they avoid this then you should too.
10. If you have a web page (Professionally looking) make sure its on your resume.
11. Ask questions about the company, even if you don't care (Which you should) They are more likely to hire you if you are interested in the company (Not just the job)
12. Salery - Ask for more than you need, and be prepared to go down.
13. Salery - If asked for a salery requirement, give a range. This helps protect you from settling to low.
14. If you are in a bad mood, leave the attitude at the door. You only get one chance at this.
15. Get there early, you can wait for them, they may not wait for you.
16. If you are late, (From their bad directions) apologize. You only get one chance at this.
17. If you know you can't make it and must reschedule, give them as much notice as possible.
18. Mention any semi-work related skills. (I learn programs fast, I'm a people person etc.)
19. Be yourself, don't try to be what you thing they want you to be.
20. Long interviews are a good sign, but don't impose yourself
21. Thank them for their time.

Degree or no degree?

Reciently I was asked the question, is it absolutly nesseccary to have a degree in multimedia in order to get a job? The answer is no. I know of many people who learned multimedia on their own, or learned it on the job. However if you can get training go for it. Whether its a BS or a certification course it will only help you. You will probably learn more in less time and be bumped up ahead of the resumes that don't have any certification. If you don't have a piece of paper saying that you are trained, just put together a good demo. A good demo will hopefully impress people enough to hire you.

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